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The M. Gemi Esatto in Warm Natural patent.
Growing up, shoe shopping was a long and tortured ordeal. I have always had very narrow feet, which made it incredibly difficult to find shoes that fit well. As a kid, Velcro sneakers were my best friend. Of course I wanted jelly flats like all the cool kids – but they were always too wide and I would walk right out of them. My Mom and I finally found a niche Italian shoe store in Potomac Mills Mall (long gone) that sold shoes in special widths AAA and AAAAs. For reference, shoe widths range from narrow (AAAA, AAA, AA, A, N) to medium (usually denoted with M or B), to wide (D or W, E, EE, EEE, EEEE).
Maybe it’s a chicken-or-the-egg issue, but my narrow feet always led me to buy high quality, mostly Italian shoes. When my Aunt gifted me with a pair of Ferragamo sandals in college, I nearly fell out of my chair. I might have been the only freshman walking around campus at College Park in Ferragamos, and I wore them until they fell apart.
Because it was so hard to find shoes that fit, I was always willing to pay a little more – but I also had my hacks. I’ve never been afraid of buying things secondhand, so I often check eBay for Jimmy Choo flats (I own two pairs) and Stuart Weitzman sandals (more than I can count off the top of my head).
Well, let me tell you how thrilled I am to have discovered M. Gemi earlier this year.
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Click here for $50 off your first M. Gemi order – full disclosure, I will get $50 off too!
About M. Gemi
M. Gemi has quickly become my go-to site for shoes, for their amazing fit and craftsmanship. These days, my feet technically measure 8 AA, but I own shoes in every size from 6 to 8.5 depending on the style and brand. M. Gemi is the first shoe company I’ve discovered in which I am a consistent size 6.5. They only use high-quality materials, and have a wide range of styles from conservative and work-appropriate, to quirky and party-ready, so there’s definitely something for everyone.
Another big plus from M. Gemi is that all their shoes (at least the ones I’ve tried) are lined with leather. Leather is absorbent and breathable since it’s a natural porous material. Unfortunately, many shoes these days are lined in plastic, which makes for sweaty feet and stinky shoes. Even the velvet Petalos are lined in leather, so I’ve been able to wear them comfortably without socks.
Here are four of the M. Gemi styles I’ve been wearing:
The Lustro
This wear-anywhere style is all about the heel. The description on their website says, “we worked closely with our heels specialist, Pasquale, to create a feminine heel loaded with walkability.” Yes and yes. The Lustro’s slim block heel is delicate yet bold, elegant, and timeless. It feels fresh now, but this is not a trend heel – it will still look good on your feet in five or 10 ten years. I love wearing heels and the 3.5” heel feels comfortable for its height and appropriate for work or play. I own these in a beautiful powder blue suede (below) as well as a nude patent.
The Esatto
This is the ultimate classic, sexy stiletto pump; a quintessential pointed-toe heel, the Esatto dresses up any outfit. I was immediately impressed by how well-balanced these are – no tottering around necessary. While the 4.25″ height means these aren’t for walking across town, they are pretty darn comfortable, relative to similar styles. My take – if you’re looking for an affordable, well-made pointed-toe pump, look no further.
The Fortuna
I love a pointed-toe flat. My feet are naturally this shape, so this style of shoe is usually the most comfortable for me. The Fortuna has a nice classic curved topline and a toebox that isn’t too pointy. This is important because too much of a point in soft leather will allow it to bend, creating wrinkles in the leather over time – I’m looking at you, Jimmy Choo Attila flats!
While this lovely pink-red color is sold out, I recommend the style in any of two nappa or two patent neutral finishes M. Gemi now offers. The leather is soft but the shoe feels sturdy. Of the three shoes, these were the tightest on my feet in a 6.5, but stretched out comfortably after a few wears.
The Petalo
When I visited the M. Gemi fit store in Boston, I was really excited to try these but expected them to be too wide. I was pleasantly surprised! The Petalo’s almond toe is perfectly proportioned, and the soft leather fit like a not-too-tight glove. The curves of the smoking-slipper topline are delicately edged with a matte twill that looks just right with the velvet. The Petalo comes in a variety of colors, but I went with classic black and I’m glad I did. I’ve been wearing them almost every day this fall – they go with everything.
See more from this shoot: A Fall Color Palette
Out of all three shoes, the M. Gemi Esatto is the one I’ve been wearing the most – it’s such a classic. But overall, I’m very impressed by M. Gemi’s elegant, well-made shoe styles.
Follow me on Instagram @theprimpysheep for more, and if you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
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Great post, Vanessa! I have a narrow foot as well, so it’s great to hear what brands you love.
Thanks, Valerie! I’m always on the hunt for the right balance of fit, quality, and style.